Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Rust mould on laundry

This is not a recipe for something to eat but I thought it might be useful!

Rust mould is those mysterious orange/brown rusty spots that appear on cotton clothes, mainly white ones, after they've been washed. It appears (so far as I can access any competent scientific information) that it may be the effect of iron in the hard water oxidising.

FirstPrevention

Avoid chlorine bleach and washing powders with chlorine bleach in. This apparently increases the chances of rust mould occurring and sets the stains so they won't come out easily.

In some places there is often chlorine in the tap water, so the problem can be aggravated by that. < The problem occurs more often when the fabrics are left lying around wet, or left to soak for a long time.

If you've left something wet or to soak, check it before or after washing. It's best to treat the stain while wet rather than let it dry first.

Cure

Put lemon juice on the stain, either by squeezing half a lemon and dabbing it on the fabric, or by rubbing a slice of lemon on the fabric until the cloth is wet with lemon juice.

Put the garment out in the sun, or in a bright place where the sun shines in and leave it to dry.